#23 The End

I Can't believe the program's over. My favourite exercises from the program were playing around with online image generators and Youtube. I've enjoyed looking at Youtube for a little while now, but sharing favourites with work colleagues has been a lot of fun. I think the most useful applications from a practical work perspective were wikis for storing information; rollyo for accurate searching; podcasts and downloadable audio and video for instructional and training purposes. RSS feeds would also be useful for keeping up-to-date with current information and bulletins.

I can see a use for social bookmarking sites, but found searching (trawling!) other user's tags a bit tedious at the time.

Finally, I love the concept of learning by playing. It is great if workplaces can continue to embrace this as an acceptable means of learning.

I've also really enjoyed sharing this learning experience with work colleagues. It was great sharing some of the discoveries along the way and laughing at some of the things that we had come across.

I look forward to Web 3.0, avatars, Second life and whatever else is coming!

#22 Audiobooks

I love the idea of these audiobook sites. There is a high demand for CD talking books in the library at the moment and these audiobook sites would complement this demand nicely.

Access to ebooks in other languages, rare, out-of-print, obscure or even alternative versions of books make these sites an exciting resource.

Maybe these sites are in their early stages, but I did have trouble locating titles with a few specific searches. However it was interesting (and a bit perplexing!)browsing through the lists of obscure titles of ebooks and documents.

I loved looking through the old children's book titles like the "Adventures of Squirrel Fluffytail".

These sites weren't quite there yet for me but show lots of exciting promise.

#21 Podcasts

Had a look at the podcast directories recommended in the exercise and enjoyed listening to some music and author interviews.

Looked at library related podcasts and then added an RSS feed of the "The Rock 'n' roll Librarian" to my Bloglines account.

The author of this podcast goes to conventions and reports on the event and interviews participants. Podcasts are ideal for this sort of reporting.

I did find that the podcast directories listed new topics which I found a bit limited. Most searches turned up no results. I'm looking forward to the time when more varied and interesting material become available on these sites like old and rare radio broadcasts and rare recorded materials.

#20 Youtube

I love Youtube. It can be educational, interesting or just funny (like this video). The footage here shows a beauty pageant entrant demonstrating her questionable dancing and trumpet skills.

Youtube can be used in all sorts of ways on a library website such as online training; showing building developments; auspicious moments such as an opening; author talks or even something library related that is fun and friviolous.

I've come across some great rare footage such as old blues musicians that have thought to have never been captured on film; where someone has found some old film taken by there father or grandfather and posted it on Youtube to share with everyone. I love the sharing, community spirit of sites like Youtube.

#19 Discovering Web 2.0 tools

I really liked Biblio.com. It is an online bookstore for rare and out of print books. People are often seeking rare or out of print titles in the library. This site allows us to search over 50 million out of print books. Biblio is a US driven site but users can search just within Australia and New Zealand or broaden the search overseas. Searching can be done by title, author or ISBN. Other features I liked were that prices could be translated into Australian currency. Also, searches can be done on first edition copies, signed copies, paperbacks or hardcovers. The book condition status is also included.

#18 Web based apps

 

I like web application tools

                    

Compatability of Word programs with different PCS is an issue sometimes. It's good to have an alternative.

#17 Sandbox wiki

Added my blog on the Sandbox wiki.
Nice and easy, the way I like it.

Looking forward to using wikis more in the future.

#16 Wikis

Wikis are the answer to many a librarians' prayers. They can replace paper folders and can be easily updated and edited. I love the idea of sharing information and having many and varied contributors. A wiki can pool staff ideas to one site and can be accessed and edited from any pc. Staff reading suggestions, booklists, community info, library procedures, web links, council contacts, databases, local history etc etc. The examples in the exercise demonstrate the range of possibilities ie book lovers, Best practices etc.

#15 On library 2.0 and web 2.0

(A train of thought, unedited rant about web 2.0!)I remember reading once that the role of librarians is to make sense of the world of information. This has always been the case and I think it always will. Web 2.0 technology simply provides us with more tools that will enable us to effectively harness the vast matrix of online information. Patrons are always going to need librarians to guide and assist them, just in different ways. The increased digitalisation of information and materials replacing the printed format may allow end users to access a greater ammount of information online from home but also creates greater confusion and no doubt associated anxiety. The physical compartmentalised library (ref, children, fiction etc)has an order and harmony that will continue to be a place of social and emotional engagement, as well as a sanctuary. Yes we will have to bring the services to the patrons via the web with podcasts wikis, blogs etc., but this will just be an added component to the library service. The tactile, physical experience will never go away but it is important to make the library an attractive and comfortable space and follow retail trends in this area. Web 3.0 and 3D virtual visits, avatars...very exciting for all of us. Bring it on!

#14 Technorati

Searching 'Learning 2.0' in Technorati in keyword, tags and directory searching produced a mixed serve of results. Tags seemed to produce a more reasonable number of results. I also tried some more vague and obscure music searches and also found Tags to be more on the mark, often producing just a handful of desirable results. The keyword searching facility seems a bit 'troubled' and needs some work(or is it just me? ie phrase searching, boolean)The authority feature is a good idea in tag and directory searching. Interesting to look at the popular searches, particularly in regards to the upcoming US elections and the concerns and opinions of the US public. Good to see Boingboing is maintaining it's popularity as its always been fun and interesting.